Lightning sparks house fire in Henrico

HENRICO, VA (WWBT) - In Henrico, lightning struck the roof of a home in the Wyndam community setting it on fire. One person was home when it happened. This took place in the 11000 block of Park Forest Court shortly after five.

It was a devastating scene as the residents watched their home go up in flames. The lightning strike shook the whole community of Wyndam, and the moments were all caught on tape. This is video of flames shooting out of the roof of the home moments after it was struck by lightning. Henrico resident Jim Lambert caught this footage on his phone.

Lambert was in the car with his daughter when she first saw the smoke.

"She noticed the smoke so we pulled in immediately saw the upper part of the house was completely involved in the fire," Lambert said.

Battalion Chief Lloyd Runnett said he knew the storm had the potential to cause major destruction.

"We had put things in place to prepare for and so when the storm lightning actually came in, we had units on standby," he said.

Almost two dozen fire fighters responded, some later pulling out personal items from one of the rooms upstairs such as a baby's bassinet, blackened by the flames. It was among many items taken from what was supposed to become a nursery.

"It's the worst one this year...it's the first lightning strike fire we've had since the summer," said Runnett.

Cory Lickey who lives next door was in the kitchen and said he felt the boom of the lightning strike and quickly grabbed his camera.

"I could hear the electricity surging through the outlets; couple things on the wall were shaking," he said.

He captured the frightening moments on his digital camera.

"Next thing I know I saw fire coming out on top of the roof," Cory added.

Officials say the home sustained well over a $100,000 worth of damage. The family we were told will be staying with friends and family tonight.